I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ghanaian filmmaker Kobina de Graft-Johnson for a gripping conversation about the explosive new film King of Tema and why the movie is striking a nerve across Ghana and the diaspora.
The discussion dives deep into the harsh realities behind Ghana’s drug trade, the street culture that inspired the story, and the growing movement of African filmmakers refusing to water down difficult conversations for the sake of comfort. From crime and corruption to survival, loyalty, and power, King of Tema shines a light on a world many people know exists but rarely see explored this boldly on screen. And whew… the film is not tiptoeing around the conversation either.
Emma and Kobina also unpack the future of Ghanaian cinema and why owning African narratives matters now more than ever. The conversation highlights how filmmakers across the continent are pushing past stereotypes and creating high-quality stories capable of competing on the global stage while still speaking directly to African people and the diaspora.
At a time when audiences are demanding more authentic storytelling, King of Tema is proving that African cinema is no longer asking for permission to take up space. It’s kicking the door open.
Watch the short interview here: https://www.youtube.com/live/zb3vBNOa3X8?si=M0mIOdPDjugxZfMp
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